"Leather costumes, real materials it's like a really big Halloween show," said Glen "Capt'n Karma" Baxter, of Santa Rosa, looking like he'd just stepped out of the 17th century.

"I was born to be a pirate," he added. "My fifth great grandfather was an actual pirate Thomas Baxter he's got a plaque in Rhode Island. He attacked French ships for the British.

"Family heritage, I guess."

This year's expanded layout includes more than three acres of vendors, pirate encampments, waterfront games and a children's area.

Sirens' Lagoon, with its 1,000-gallon, glass-sided tank where "mermaids" can be seen swimming underwater, returned after a successful debut last year.

Organizers made a few tweaks this year, including adding a second cannon battle each day. The shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. and feature a 57-foot ship exchanging fake cannon fire with a group of defenders on the shore.

Also new this year is the House of the Rising Sun, a colorful and raucous establishment where dancing girls and gambling miscreants invite passersby to try their hand at cards or dice.

And to celebrate this year's theme, "The Year of the Pirate," festival organizers have hired actors and pirate enthusiasts to portray famous pirates from throughout history, including Blackbeard and Anne Bonny.

But the family-friendly focus remains the same.

"We've worked really hard to create an event that caters to both families and pirate enthusiasts," festival spokeswoman Shannon Damnavits said. "We've got everything from bounce houses to wine bars."

With four stages, the event features pirate shows, San Francisco-based pirate rock band Boarding Party and an interactive show of sea shanties and sword fights for the younger scallywags. Returning favorites include the Dread Crew of Oddwood, which blends heavy metal, Celtic folk and progressive rock, Skip Henderson and Starboard Watch, whose music was featured in Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, and popular pirate magician Capt'n Jack Spareribs.

Kevin Hames of Pandora's Kloset, one of the festival's vendors, said he thinks the event is more diverse than the renaissance fairs he and his wife have worked.

"'Pirates of the Caribbean' opened up pirates to a broader spectrum of people," Hames said. "It appeals to everyone. It appeals to kids. It's a good family festival."

Lorraine Fuqua of Santa Cruz agreed.

"It's family friendly and the price is right," said Fuqua, a first-time festival-goer who came dressed as a wench. "I really like that it's on the waterfront. It's just really chill and relaxing."